Arrow Hill Cottage

Minimalist Master Bathroom + simple storage solutions

Take a tour of our minimalist master bathroom! Although not large in size, it holds everything we need.

As a result of our friends becoming more aware of our family’s minimalist lifestyle, we receive plenty of questions. Mostly, people want to know where we keep our things. Specifically, they are curious what we do with all of the items that are needed on a day to day basis.

To help answer that question, I thought it might be fun to give a little tour of our master bathroom. This hardworking room contains everything we need, in a small footprint.

Minimalist Master Bathroom Basics

This room is by no means large. At 5′-0″ x 5′-0″, with an additional couple of feet for the shower, some may consider it small. But, for us, it is a luxury to even have a master bathroom at all. Previously, we lived in homes that had only hall accessed bathrooms. When designing our cottage, this is one upgrade we were really looking forward to.

Technically our master bathroom is a a 3/4 bath, since it includes a total of three fixtures: toilet, sink, and shower. We opted out of a bathtub for this room, because we felt that a shower would be more accommodating to us as we age and mobility becomes a potential issue.

The faucet, shower curtain, towel hooks and toilet paper holder are all classic chrome.

For the light fixtures, we continued the theme from the rest of the house by going with black + glass fixtures. Above the mirror is a simple wall pendant. You can find a source link for this light and all the other light fixtures throughout our home HERE.

DIY features

In order to save money during the build of our home, we tackled some of the finish work ourselves. In our master bathroom that included all of the tile work. Because this was our first ever time working with tile, we weren’t sure what to expect. Overall though, we think that our first tiling attempt was a success. We are happy with how it tuned out!

The floor tile was a bit more difficult to install, because they came in sheets that needed to be lined up perfectly. In the shower, we decided to add a simple subway tile. This was an easy installation, since we did not include any niches for products in the design of our shower.

In addition to the tile, we also completed a custom vanity build. Or, should I say that my husband completed it. After seeing a beautiful vanity on the pottery barn website, I knew I wanted something similar for our small master bathroom. However, the price tag made it a bit unattainable. Thankfully, Craig came to the rescue and, with a little design guidance from me, was able to create the perfect piece! You can watch the building process in this video.

Storage in our minimalist master bathroom

Many people who know of our family’s minimalist lifestyle ask us the question, “Where do you keep all the things you NEED?” It’s a well meaning question that I think deserves an answer. Surely, even as minimalists, we have items that we use on a day to day basis.

In a bathroom alone, there are quite a few products and self care accessories that need a home. Here in our minimal master bathroom we have two main spots where we keep these items. In the shower, and in the vanity.

I mentioned that we did not include a niche or shelf for products in the shower. Instead, we have opted for a small metal shower caddy, which sits on the floor of our shower. It does take up a bit of standing space, but we enjoy how convenient it is to have all of our shower products in one spot. We also like how the shower curtain hides the basket from view. It is a simple, low cost solution that works well.

For the most part, the bulk of storage in our bathroom is within the vanity itself. Though it appears to have two drawers, in reality the top is just a false front. The bottom, however, is a functional drawer with plenty of storage.

Within the drawer, we have the space organized in a sort of ‘his and her’ fashion. We were able to find metal bins that fit perfectly in the drawer. Having the removable bins makes it easy to clean the drawer when needed. They also help define boundaries for how many products we keep.

Minimizing Products

Overall, quite possibly the most important tip when it comes to minimalist living is to be intentional about inventory.Paring down to just the necessary items means that organization is easier and more manageable.

As a lady especially, there are so many products that are pushed in our direction. Promises of cleaner skin and healthier hair tempt us into buying items we don’t need. And, if the products enter our home, they are difficult to get rid of. Even if they didn’t work the way we anticipated, we feel guilty throwing them out because of the money that was spent.

After trial and error, and letting go of products that didn’t work, I have a handful of tried and true staples. My makeup bag is small, and my morning routine is simple.

In addition to the drawer, the bottom shelf of our vanity holds two baskets. One is our laundry hamper, and the other holds clothing items that we will be wearing again – such as pajamas. These baskets completely eliminate the practice of throwing clothes on the bathroom floor, and keep our master bathroom looking tidy at all times.

I hope you enjoyed this little tour of our minimalist master bathroom. It is a refreshing space that we love to spend time in. If you would like a closer look at any of the features I mentioned in this post, be sure to watch this video!

Pin this image, and visit me over on pinterest for more tips about minimalist living and simple home tips!

Cottage Spring Decor | Spring 2021

Today, I want to share the cottage spring decor here at Arrow Hill Cottage. I am always amazed to see how simple changes can completely transform a space for the seasons.

With winter finally melted away, and the official start of spring identified on the calendar, it was time to change up the interior decor of the cottage.

There is something so special about the spring season. It has a freshness, a sense of newness about it. People generally are spending more time outdoors and enjoying the longer hours of sunshine.

As a minimalist family, the amount of decor items kept in our home is small. However, I do like to mix and match the items we do have as a way to change the look of the cottage interior.

Cottage Spring Decor

Our cottage is filled with items that have been collected slowly throughout the years. As I was gathering pieces from various rooms, a theme started to emerge. Green, pale blue, and yellow seemed to be the dominant colors I was drawn to. Natural elements, such as woven baskets and greenery also played an important role in this year’s spring decor.

The living room, complete with the newly reupholstered side chair, holds a couple of cute displays. Above the fireplace, a vintage painted window takes center stage. Although the window recently fell, breaking the glass, my husband restored the wood pieces. I a grateful for that!

In addition to the wood window, an old piece of trim and bird paper-cut art piece are layered. To the right of the frame, a small green tin holds faux flowers. I love mixing textures. The metal of the tin, together with the patina of the trim and wood window, is complimenting.

Next to the fireplace sits a large chalkboard. The black and white typography is balanced by the potted plants, which are placed atop an enameled tray.

I have plans to give this chalkboard a makeover in the near future, so be on the lookout for a post or video about that!

This vintage blanket adds the perfect amount of muted color to the space.

Decorating with memories

Incorporating memories into decor is one of my all time favorite tips. This little display features quite a few, including the pedal sewing machine that was my great grandmother’s.

The typewriter is another cherished keepsake passed down to our family from my husband’s great grandma. Just seeing these types of items sprinkled throughout the cottage brings us a sense of connection to the past.

Similarly, an old window sits atop the piano. We added a chalkboard panel behind it, and attached metal clips. These clips allow me to change out photos or mementos to display.

For the cottage spring decor setup this year, I chose photos that showcase special memories that our family has experienced during the spring season through the years.

Natural elements in spring decor

When it comes to spring decorating, I especially love incorporating natural elements. Since nature outdoors is showing the first signs of blooming, it only makes sense to bring the magic inside.

In the Midwest, tulips are a tell-tale first sign of spring. I picked these up at Aldi of all places! Because they are potted, they can be transplanted outside when it warms up a bit more!

On the dining table, an arrangement of faux greenery and candles sits inside a small crock. Coupled with a textured art piece, woven basket and a sweet little deer figurine, the entire table centerpiece anchors our simple white oak table.

Isn’t this little guy just the cutest thing?

In comparison to the rest of the main level, I didn’t spend a lot of time decorating in the kitchen. I think that adding decor in this room will become easier once our floating shelves are installed. Until then, I love having the large window ledge above our sink as decorating space.

My tin collection has grown a little bit, and soon I will be planting spices and possibly a few succulents in them! These clay pots are also just waiting to be filled. I am getting particularly excited for garden season this year!

Thanks so much for stopping by our cottage. I hope your spring season is going well so far, and that you are anticipating great things ahead!

Decorating Arrow Hill Cottage

Watch as Arrow Hill Cottage is transformed for the new season.

More Spring Decor Ideas

Need more inspiration? These blog posts offer swoon worthy content!

Cottage Style Spring Decorating Ideas | The Lettered Cottage

Simple Spring Decorating | Fox Hollow Cottage

Refreshing + Minimal Spring Cottage Tour | Pine + Prospect Home

Reupholstering a chair | DIY refresh

I recently completed a little DIY refresh by reupholstering a chair. Because people love a good before and after (I know I do!), today I am sharing the process here on the blog! Scroll down to the bottom of this post for a video as well.

This is the chair, at home in our living room now. But, to totally appreciate how it looks today, it is important to understand how far it has come. Let me take you back to the very beginning.

The BEFORE

About six years ago, I saw an ad on Facebook marketplace advertising this chair. It’s unique shape and styling attracted my eye, and the $20 price tag sealed the deal.

I’m not one who pays much attention to the era that different pieces are made. I am fine with including a wide variety of styles and period pieces throughout my home decor. What usually matters most to me is the uniqueness of the items I bring into our home, and this one had that special spark.

As you know, it is difficult to determine the quality of an item when purchasing online. Once I brought the chair home, I was pleasantly surprised at its sturdiness and overall craftsmanship. Turns out it was manufactured by the high end furniture company Bernhardt. They have been making furniture since 1889, and are still in operation today. It wasn’t until I started ripping into the chair and saw the marking of August 2000 that I was able to confirm this chair’s exact age. Twenty one years young.

However, the reason for the low price tag was obvious. The fabric on the seat cushion was gaudy, and pretty torn up.

I knew from possession day one that I wanted to reupholster the cushion. Unfortunately, the project never became a priority. Mainly, I think, because the chair never held a prominent spot in our home. We had it in a bedroom, and office, and even a playroom in our previous homes. Here at the cottage though, it has taken up residence in our living room. It fits the space well, and I finally felt justified to give it a facelift.

When does DIY reupholstering a chair make sense?

Not every chair is a candidate for a DIY reupholstering project, in my opinion. If the shape of the chair is complex, or the fabric you wish to recover with has a pattern that needs to be perfectly lined up, I would recommend hiring a professional.

The only bit of upholstery on my chair was the seat cushion. This type of project is pretty straight forward and doesn’t require any specialized tools. I felt confident that, even with my limited knowledge of reupholstering, I would be able to finish the chair with good results.

Steps in reupholstering a chair

The first thing that needs to be done is removing the seat cushion from the frame. Many times, for chairs like this one, there will be screws holding the seat in place.

Next, you will need to remove the existing upholstery fabric from the seat cushion. This step proved to take me much longer than it should have, due to the lack of proper tools.

Ironically, our family recently did a major decluttering of our home and garage. As part of that process, I am quite certain my upholstery tools were donated. Oh well, I guess that’s what happens when you strive to have a minimalist lifestyle!

These tools listed below would have made this job easier. These are affiliate links. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See my full disclosure here

Staple Remover

Tack Lifter

Upholstery Staple Gun

I instead found myself using a mini flat head screwdriver and pliers to remove all the little staples. It took me probably twice as long as it should have, but this step was eventually finished nonetheless.

Finally, you will be ready to add your new fabric. Look for a sturdy and easy to clean variety. This post has a good list of recommended fabrics for upholstery projects.

I was able to repurpose a bedspread as the new fabric for my chair. If it’s free, it’s for me!

Using the removed cover as a template, I cut the new fabric to the proper size. This helped me get the exact shape needed.

After stapling the new fabric onto the cushion, the final step is to attach the cushion back to the chair. For me, this last part of the process is the most rewarding.

The AFTER

I am so happy with the results of this simple project. I feel like the neutral seat cover allows for more of the chair’s details to be seen. Previously, the eye was drawn directly to the busy patterned fabric.

Eventually, maybe in another six years, we will likely take the chair apart once again. At that point we will sand the frame down to the bare wood and give it a clear topcoat, and also completely redo the cushion with something more high end.

For now though, I am pleased with the fact that our living room is a nice neutral backdrop. This will allow me to decorate with various colors, textures and accessories throughout each decorating season.

I hope that this quick little DIY project gives you inspiration to tackle something in your own home. Perhaps something you have been putting off for a long time, like I was. Grab those tools and materials and just give it a try! It might be surprising how quickly you can get it done!

If you’d like to watch the entire process of me reupholstering my chair, be sure to watch this video. The commentary itself is worth the watch!

Life at the Cottage | Winter 2020/21

Welcome back to the cottage everyone! In this new year, I want to make a bit of a change on my post line-up. More specifically, I am looking to update the way our family life is shared here on the blog.

Previously, I had been dedicating one post per month to our family life and adventures. This series was titled ‘Around Here.’ And, although these were quick updates that were easy to write, some months I felt that they were put together just for the sake of getting them done.

Now, I have decided that going forward the family update posts will be published quarterly. One update per season. Winter (December, January, February), Spring ( March, April, May) Summer (June, July, August), and Fall (September, October, November). I am hoping that these posts will be more substantial, and will give a good insight into what our family has been up to.

For the first installation of this new series, ‘Life At The Cottage’, I want to recap our Winter 2020/21 season.

WINTER 2020/21

Though we had moved into the cottage by winter of 2019, winter of 20/21 was the first year we were able to actually enjoy our house as a home. No longer were we surrounded by a never ending assortment of unfinished projects. We were able to actually take the winter season and fully appreciate what we had labored over for the entire previous year.

Christmas was a joyous time, and we thoroughly enjoyed decorating our cottage for the season for the very first time.

We focused mainly on the interior spaces this year, but have plans to expand the decor outdoors by the time Christmas comes around again.

With the house in order, we were also able to enjoy the outdoors more this winter. The kids thoroughly enjoyed ice skating on our pond during the first part of winter, before much snow had fallen. They were even able to invite a few friends over for a skating party, complete with hot chocolate by a fire pit.

We are hopeful that next year we will be able to purchase a small snowblower, which would really help out a lot when it comes to keeping the ice clear and skate-able.

For the most part, the weather of winter 20/21 was quite mild. After a large amount of snowfall in the fall, we only had a few days that included any snow during the months of January and February. That is simply unheard of in the Midwest. Chances are, we are in for some spring storms. For now though, we are appreciating the fact that we were able to get outdoors nearly every day.

We had plenty of indoor activities to keep us busy throughout the winter as well. Our favorite indoor winter pastime was, again this year, putting together puzzles. Collectively, our family successfully completed a record ten puzzles. Most were 1,000 pieces or more!

Near the end of winter, Angela went antique shopping and found a perfectly sized puzzle table. We anticipate many more hours spent around this table as a family.

It has been such a blessing to our family that the small private Lutheran school our children attend has been able to remain ‘in person’ for the entire school year so far. The kids have been able to keep a slice of normalcy during this crazy pandemic time, which we are thankful for.

We are proud of all of the kids for working hard at their schooling, tackling any subjects that may be more difficult for them with a good attitude.

The boys are all on the same basketball team this year, which has been really fun. There has been a limited number of game opportunities, but we are so grateful for the times they have been able to play against other teams. They have each improved in their basketball skills and confidence on the court.

It is especially sweet this year to have them all together, knowing that is likely one of the only times they will ever all be on the same team again. Our oldest son, {D}, will be heading to senior high next year at a brand new school.

A couple of milestones were reached for him this winter. He got braces on his teeth AND he started his very first job!

He is working at the same office where Craig is employed, doing some entry level data organizing. It is a perfect fit, especially since the two of them will be able to ride to and from work together during the summer months. For now, during the school year, he just gets in a few hours here and there.

Angela has been busy decluttering and getting things organized around the house. In fact, during the month of January, she took on a challenge with her mom – and was able to donate, sell, or toss over five hundred items.

It’s amazing how great it feels to simplify our belongings! At times, people who visit our home mention that it looks a bit bare. Simplified / minimalistic living isn’t for everyone, but it is something our family has come to love. A clean home allows us all to have more clear minds, and focus on the important things in life rather than the managing of stuff.

Craig has kept busy with a few projects this winter. He has been working on refinishing an antique oak desk, which is turning into a very beautiful piece. We are excited to get it into his office.

Additionally, he also finished the metal beds for the girl’s bedroom. They look so wonderful, and the girls absolutely love them!

There is never a shortage of projects here at the cottage. Stay tuned to see what we tackle next.

I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into our lives here at the cottage. Be sure to check back at the end of the spring season for more updates on our family!

Until then, you can always like a closer look by visiting our family YouTube channel , Arrow Hill Family, to watch our weekly photo vlogs. Be well everyone!

Shared Girls Room | Bedroom Tour

Today I am excited to give you a tour of the shared girls room at the cottage. Though far from fully decorated, we have done quite a bit in the space already and would love to show you around!

Our newly built cottage has a total of three bedrooms (technically four if you count the basement bonus space). The master suite is on the main level, and there are two additional bedroom upstairs. One for the boys and one for the girls. Our entire family appreciates the simplicity of this arrangement. Truthfully, our kids do not mind one bit that they share with their siblings. In fact, they prefer it!

Shared Girls Room | Basics

We covered the entire upper level ceiling of the cottage with pine tongue and groove boards, which were then painted white. My husband recently created a video which documents the long process of installing them.

As a result of our hard work, we are extremely happy with how the ceilings look. Because they are vaulted, the natural daylight that comes in through the single window bounces around and really brightens up the entire room.

Oak flooring creates a beautiful, neutral backdrop for furnishings and decor. In addition, the all white walls and trim have the same effect.

When I designed the girls room, I was careful to create a space that would serve the girls for years to come. For example, although the girls currently enjoy having their beds close together at night, they might not always prefer this set up. The dimensions of the room were worked out so that each girl could eventually claim their own ‘half’. There are two closets in the room as well.

Sleeping Space

One side of the bedroom is designated for sleeping and quiet time. The two antique metal beds found on this side were an absolute labor of love for my husband. He painstakingly restored the beds over the course of several months. Although the beds spent many years in a friend’s barn, you would never know it now!

My husband documented the process of restoring the beds through a series of videos. I am so impressed with how they turned out. Most importantly though, the girls love them.

A small table is positioned between the beds. It is the perfect size for a reading lamp, and a few books.

I chose white comforters for the beds. They are easy to clean and provide a neutral base that can be changed up easily with accent bedding and pillows. For now, the accents of pink, aqua, and yellow are fun and girly, while not being age specific. One thing I am still on the hunt for are matching quilts or duvet covers for the ends of each bed.

Play Space

The opposite side of the room is set up as a kind of pseudo mini house – every little girl’s dream! It is complete with a small play kitchen, table, and two pink chairs. In addition, a sweet doll crib – made by the girls’ great grandpa – holds special sentiment.

The girls have literally spent hours creating make believe scenarios with their stuffed animals and dolls.

Their play kitchen is something I posted about a couple of years ago. It was made using a vintage dresser as the primary structure. More information about the process of building the play kitchen, and links for many of the accessories, can be found in THIS POST.

You may recognize the small red table from this past year’s Christmas decorating. I recently found an enamel top table at a local antique shop. This new table is a bit larger and more useful for our annual winter puzzle endeavors. For this reason, we moved the little red table up to the girl’s space – and kept the enamel topped one on the main level. These two tables will definitely be moved around the house throughout the years, depending on the needs of our family and my seasonal decorating desires.

Other Furniture + Decor

The only other piece of furniture the girls have in their bedroom is a dresser. It is, yet again, another special hand me down item. Purchased by my grandparents, the dresser was mine as a little girl. The perfect size, it has four drawers – two for each daughter. We have it organized so that each girl has one drawer for their shirts, and one for their pants/shorts/skirts.

Atop the dresser are a few special and sentimental items. A beautiful watercolor print, which was purchased on Etsy, provides a bit more color to the room. The small wooden box holds the some of the girls’ cherished special items. Lastly, the pink bunny was hand sewn by the nannies at our older daughter’s orphanage. They gave it to her as a gift on her adoption day.

Though I have more decor ideas for the room, there is no rush on getting everything implemented at once. Kid spaces have a tendency to evolve and change as the occupants grow. The girls bedroom will be no different, I’m sure.

Girls Shared Room Video Walkthrough

Sometimes, it is easier to see a space in video format. I’ve created a video tour of the room for just that reason.

I hope you enjoyed this little tour! Stay tuned for more space reveals, as we continue to decorate at the cottage!

Antique Shopping Finds | Winter 2021

Today I want to share with you my most recently collected antique and thrift store treasures. These antique shopping finds include a variety of items that we have added to our home for both decor and functional purposes.

With our cottage build complete, we have moved onto a new phase. Decorating! I don’t claim to be an expert interior decorator, but I do know what I like when I see it! With Pinterest picture references, I am constantly on the lookout for unique and special items to add to our rooms. Most definitely, I prefer a ‘collected’ look when it comes to home furnishings and decor. To me, spaces just look and feel more personal when the pieces in it have a story.

Although it may take me years and years to finalize the decorating of the cottage, I am up for the challenge!

My Antique Shopping Tips

I live in a town that is known as a bit of a tourist destination. In addition to its many lakes, it boasts a vibrant downtown area, complete with multiple antique stores. With all of these beautiful shops so accessible, it would be easy to spend hours each day shopping. However, I prefer to limit my browsing to every few months.

This spaced out shopping is helpful for a variety of reasons. First, it allows plenty of time for item turnaround. The workers at these antique shops are constantly attending estate sales and picking up items to resell. That means that if I step into the stores less often, I am more likely to see many new items each time. Secondly, in order to make room for new merchandise, items that haven’t sold in a couple of months may be offered at a discount. I have seen pieces drop in price over fifty percent from one outing to the next.

It is my preference to always shop with someone else. I generally do not enjoy shopping, even casually. Having another person with is more fun, because we can visit while walking through the stores. Many times, one of us will see an item that sparks a memory, which adds to even more conversation. In addition, if I am questioning whether to buy something or not, I can talk it over with my shopping buddy.

Shopping As A Minimalist

When designing our home, we purposefully made the decision to not include a lot of storage. We saw it as a way to ensure that the items we have are used on a regular basis. In addition to that, neither my husband nor I like clutter. For these reasons, we are very intentional about the items we bring into our home.

In order for something to ‘make the cut’, so to speak, it needs to be either useful/ needed or something we love to look at.

An item that is offered at a good price but is the wrong color, size, or shape will not be a purchase of mine.

I try to make it a habit of walking through a store first, without picking anything up. If something catches my eye, I will go back to it for further inspection. Many times I have left the store, with photos and measurements of an item in hand, and thought about it for a few days. If it is a piece that I can’t get out of my mind, I will go back to purchase.

Winter 2021 Antique Shopping Finds

Are you ready to see what I decided to bring home? Great! I’m excited to show you!

Enamel Top Table

First up is this white enamel topped table. Based on the construction techniques used, our best guess is that it is from the earlier part of the 20th century. Perhaps somewhere between 1910 and 1930, when having a small baking table in the kitchen was common practice.

There is evidence suggesting that the table used to have two drawers. The drawer fronts are still present, but they have been nailed to the frame and the drawer boxes have been removed. My husband is thinking about re-creating the drawers. He also has plans to remove the paint (we think it is probably lead based) and refinish the wood legs.

For the moment the table is being used as a surface for puzzles. In the future, I envision switching it out with the little red chippy table seen in my Christmas decorating post. Depending on the season and decor needs, both tables will come in quite handy.

Woven Basket

This little basket was found at a local thrift store for a few dollars. I’m not entirely certain that it is old, but it does appear to be hand made. I love all of the little details on this piece, including the ‘x’ shaped ties, and the teeny tiny pins around the top. At approximately 6″ x 12″ , it is the perfect size to hold a few books.

We have been keeping the basket next to the fireplace. It currently holds our family Bible and devotion materials, so that they are within easy access to pick up for a quick read.

Knit Throw

I am drawn to cozy, neutral textures. This cream colored knit throw caught my eye with its beautiful pattern and smaller size. It is not a full blanket, but it has just enough material to wrap up in.

After bringing it home and giving it a good washing, I layered it on the back of our couch. Atop another vintage blanket, the texture of the throw really pops!

Metal Spice Tins

I have recently started one of my very first collections. These little vintage metal tins are so fun, and each so unique. They were found in many different shops, at various price points ranging from one to five dollars. I find the font and color choices on each individual tin so interesting.

I have seen some very unique ways that vintage tins have been used as decor. My absolute favorite, and the thought that is guiding my collection, is to use them as little planters. By taking the tops off of the tins, I can fill them with soil and plant small succulents and spices of my own. Chives, cilantro, maybe a some dill? The large window ledge above our kitchen sink will be the perfect place to display them, during the spring and summer months.

Original Oil Painting

My absolute favorite recent find is this original painting. When I saw it, while shopping with my mom, it stopped me in my tracks. I loved the colors and composition immediately. The winter scene depicting children ice skating on a frozen pond reminded me so much of our own property here at Arrow Hill Cottage. However, the hefty price tag gave me pause, and I walked away. Once home, I did a bit more research on the artist because I was curious why the painting was priced so high.

It turns out that the painting was done by a local artist named Ellen Eilers. She is best known for her ‘Calico Country’ series of artwork, which includes various stylized landscape scenes. However, she mentioned in this video that she particularly enjoyed painting winter scenes. I believe that enjoyment was transferred to the canvas when she made this piece. The details are stunning!

After thinking about it for a few days, and with encouragement (and birthday money) from my parents, I happily went back to the store to purchase it. It fits just perfectly here at the cottage, and I am excited to enjoy it for years to come.

That’s everything for now! I hope you enjoyed these antique shopping finds. I’m hoping to do a post like this every so often, when I have new purchases to share. I always think it is fun to hear the stories behind some of the items that are in a person’s home, and I hope you do too!

Antique Haul Video

More Antique Shopping Tips

If you’ve been thinking of adding some vintage charm to your home, but the thought of sifting through antique stores scares you, check out these resources! The ladies who wrote the posts are seasoned antique finders with beautiful homes filled with collected items. They each have their own personal styles, but are all very inspiring!

Farmhouse On Boone | Farmhouse Antique Shopping Tips

Emily Henderson | Thrifters Guide On What To Buy (And Skip)

Pine + Prospect Home | Antiquing For Beginners

Minimalism Game | Over 500 Items Decluttered

During the month of January, my family played the Minimalism game! Today, I want to share with you how this challenge works, and the results of our month long effort.

January seems to be the month that many people feel the urge to declutter and reset their homes. My family is no different. The calendar turned, and yet we found ourselves very much in the same spot. With quarantine restrictions, and not many entertainment venues open, we are spending a good portion of our time at home.

Don’t get me wrong. We absolutely love our home. But, even the most beautiful four walls can become mundane when they are all you see most of the time. We are ready for some changes!

I mentioned in my last post that we have big plans for this cottage. So many DIY projects are waiting to be completed! There is no better way, in my opinion, to gain a clear perspective on things than a good old fashioned declutter! That’s exactly what we did, in the form of a game.

What Is The Minimalism Game?

Near the end of December, my mom mentioned to me that she was planning to take on a decluttering challenge in January. After talking through it with her, I discovered the challenge is technically called ‘The Minimalism Game’. It was developed by none other than the Minimalists themselves, and is quite a simple concept.

Essentially, it works this way: Each day of the month you find one item per day to donate, sell or throw away. One item on the first day of the month. Eight on the eighth day, and so on. When all is said and done, at the end of the month, there will be 500+ fewer items of clutter in your home!

The idea is that the first few days of the month should be pretty easy to tackle. It seems like basically anyone can find one to five items of clutter in their home on any given day. These ‘easy’ days will give you the confidence to take on more difficult decisions. By the end of the month, you may be considering items that were off limits on day one.

Before + During Our Game

Going into the challenge, I was skeptical. Five hundred seemed like an awfully large number. After all, we have only been living in our home for one year. We did a major amount of decluttering before our move, and even hosted a huge garage sale.

In addition to that, we tend to keep a rather close eye on the items we allow into our cottage. We have been diligent about keeping only the possessions we use and love the most. Would I be able to find enough clutter to finish?

Yet, even with this question, the game seemed like an appealing way to take on the new year. My mom and I began the challenge together on January 1st. We vowed to be cheerleaders and accountability partners for each other throughout the month.

Games are always more fun when they aren’t played in isolation. There are other benefits too.

Having someone take on a challenge at the same time as you really does help keep a person honest! My mom and I sent each other messages and pictures nearly every day, discussing the items we had found.

Bouncing decluttering ideas off of each other was also a great benefit. For example, my mom mentioned she had cleaned out her spice cabinet and consolidated her spices into fewer jars. She was able to toss out quite a few small containers. Though I hadn’t considered checking in my own spice cabinet, you can bet I did just that after my mom told me about her success!

Watch Us Play The Minimalism Game

As an additional measure of accountability, I decided to capture my family’s experience on video. Although I didn’t pick up the camera every single day, I feel like the film compilation portrays our process quite well.

Minimalism Game Results

After an entire month of decluttering, the results are in. Much to my surprise, it was not difficult at all to find the 500 items! Mind you, there were probably only a handful of pieces that were visibly taking up space. Most everything else was packed away in tidy little spots throughout my home. Things looked neat and organized, but there was clutter lurking behind closed doors!

The biggest culprit for us? The garage!

Looking back, it makes perfect sense why so many items were found there. When we were packing to move, we put off the garage until last, thinking we would be able to throw out a bunch of things. In reality though, we ran out of time to sort. The contents of our old garage were thrown into boxes and moved to the new garage. A year passed, and organizing the garage just never seemed to become a priority project.

I’m guessing there may be a similar spot in your home. Perhaps the basement? A child’s playroom? Maybe even a closet. Go take a look! Ridding yourself of the clutter will be so freeing, I promise you!

The variety of items that were found during the game was also a surprise to me. I knew there would be some broken toys, ripped clothes, and paper clutter that could be thrown. However, I didn’t realize how many good, quality items we would decide to donate or sell. The kids were especially eager to go through their things. I’m so proud of them!

Overall, I would definitely recommend this game. It is a great way to rid your home of un-needed items quickly. It’s not a difficult concept, and the pride you feel when those 500 items are out the door is worth all the effort!

More Decluttering Challenges

If the month long Minimalism Game seems like too much of a commitment, consider one of these other challenges. They can help you get into the groove of decluttering, by taking it on one bit at a time.

Create a Capsule Wardrobe

Control Magazine + Paper Clutter

Speed Clean: 60 in 60 Challenge

One Room Challenge: Deep Cleaning

Word of the year + setting my goals

Happy New Year everyone! Like most people, I have welcomed 2021 with open arms. I’m ready to leave all the craziness of the past year, and move on.

Today I want to share with you the goals that I have for this new year, and the word that will be my guide along the way.

Why a word of the year?

It is a long held tradition for people to set goals at the beginning of a new year. With three hundred and sixty five days ahead, starting anew is a natural inclination.

While I used to set specific and measurable new year goals, I found myself getting frustrated the minute things started to head off course. My ‘all or nothing’ perfectionist personality held me captive to the specifics of the goals. This made me to give up when things got tough. For example, if a goal was set to exercise every day, once a single day was missed I would stop exercising altogether, and consider that goal a failure. Most years, I would find myself a couple months into the new year feeling defeated.

Then, a few years ago, a friend mentioned that she chose a word for the year, instead of setting specific goals. I had never heard of the concept, but the idea that a single word could help me refocus throughout the year caught my attention. Doing a bit of research, I decided to adopt the practice as well.

My word of the year

Last year my word was ‘clear’. Little did I know, going into 2020, how appropriate that simple word would be. A cleared out calendar definitely gives a person a clear mind! Moving into the new year, I had time to really think about which word could help guide me in 2021.

The word I have chosen for this year is Progress. More specifically, ‘progress over perfection.’

Many times, when I attempt to make progress with something in my life, I get hung up on trying to do things perfectly. As I mentioned, even new year goals tend to be that way for me!

Progress. The word encourages me to put one foot in front of the other, without knowing necessarily where the path might lead me. It allows me to be more gentle on myself, knowing that perfection doesn’t need to be met in order for a goal to be satisfied. I feel ready for progress.

Setting Goals for the New Year

My goals are a bit vague, with the understanding that they are all encompassed under the word progress. Each little step in the direction of these more broad categories can be considered a win to me.

Documentation of house building + projects

First, I have plans to go back to the footage that was taken during the building of our house. Though we did film much of the process, life was much too hectic at the time to put together polished videos or blog posts. However, I truly want to be able to document that exciting chapter of our lives.

And so, going back to formally document what happened is considered progress in my eyes.

Our home hasn’t changed much since I gave the new build tour. Moving forward, I see us taking our blank slate cottage and adding a lot of personal touches. I have many ideas for ways to get this place feeling more homey. Accent walls, painting projects, and furniture refinishing are all in our future.

My inclination is to wait until each room is perfectly finished and polished before sharing. However, it could be years before rooms in the cottage might be considered finished. I have found that, personally, I enjoy following along with people who share the changes to their homes as they make them. This raw and real approach to documenting will be a stretch for my personality, but one that I hope to make progress with.

Health + well being

Many people set new year goals for themselves is in the area of health and well being. For me, I hope to make progress in learning how to grow and prepare healthy food options.

Last summer, I used the extra homebound time to plant my very first garden. I genuinely enjoyed the process far more than I had anticipated. Although we made mistakes and the gardening system was far from perfect, there was success – which prompts me to take the garden a step further this year. Progress in gardening this year will give me encouragement to keep fine tuning the techniques until I find a system that works best for me.

In turn, using fresh homegrown produce, I plan to create healthy meals for my family.

I plan to share all the gardening journey as well as healthy recipes right here on the blog, so be sure to check in often!

Personal Passions

I have mentioned before that my college degree is in the field of architecture. While I did work in an office setting for a few years, once our oldest son was born I became a full time stay at home mom. That was fourteen years ago. During my time at home, I remained involved with various architectural firms, on a project by project basis. I have found, based on the different types of projects I have worked on, that my true passions lie with residential design. More specifically, I enjoy designing small and simple homes.

When I started this blog, it was a way for me to share the process of how an idea can be turned into reality. It has truly been one of the greatest blessings of my life to have been able to design and build a home for our family. There have been several people who have reached out to me, since the completion of our cottage, asking for custom home design services.

While I don’t see myself taking on custom design projects, I would like to feature more design content here on the blog. That will probably look like a series of blog posts and videos dedicated to home design ideas. I would love to offer home plan sketches featuring simple home design concepts.

Though I’m not fully sure yet how to make this goal a reality, I want to jump in. I might try a few different approaches to determine which resonates best with my followers. This is one aspect of 2021 that I am quite excited about!

Choose a Word of the Year for yourself

Do you like the idea of choosing a word guide to steer you in a positive direction this new year? Not sure how to come up with one?

The goal chaser website has an entire list of over 100 word of the year options – which is a great resource!

If you don’t feel like searching through an entire list, check out this quiz by Dayspring. It will walk you through a series of reflective questions, geared at fine tuning which word of the year is right for you!

Watch me explain my New Years goals + word

I hope that you will join me this year, as I seek progress over perfection. If you decide to choose a word this year, instead of making specific goals, I would love to hear about it in the comments below!

AROUND HERE: NOVEMBER + DECEMBER 2020

Around here we have been…

RECOVERING from the dreaded Covid. We aren’t sure which family member brought it home first – but it spread quickly and out of the seven of us, 4 were tested. All who were tested ended up being positive for Covid. We had a huge range of symptoms, ranging from headaches, tiredness, and even red eyes.

Craig definitely got hit the worst. He spent close to a week in bed, sleeping away most hours of the day. His fever would go down for a few hours, and then spike back up. He also lost quite a bit of weight. Not having smell and taste meant he didn’t have much of an appetite.

Because we were in quarantine, the kids had to switch back to distance learning. They weren’t fans of not seeing their friends every day, but were troopers about staying up to date on their assignments.

We spent Thanksgiving at home, just our little crew. Craig’s mom was kind enough to make a porch drop off of a delicious home cooked meal, including both pumpkin and apple pie! Finally, near the end of November, we were released from our home quarantine and allowed to rejoin the general public. It felt great to finally be back into a routine!

FLYING to Austin, Texas. At the beginning of December – and shortly after we were cleared from quarantine – Craig, his dad, and {D} took a trip to Texas. {D} had been invited, back in June, to the Kicking World National Showcase. It was an exciting trip, and learning experience for him, as he competed with top high school kicking specialists from around the country!

He was able to set personal records at the competition, and won a recognition award for his showing as the youngest kicker to ever be invited to the event.

If interested, feel free to watch the highlight video of his camp experience. We are truly proud of all of his hard work and dedication to this sport that he loves.

WITNESSING the change of seasons. As much as I love the Fall, I do enjoy that in Minnesota we have all four seasons. Winter might be my least favorite, but it sure is beautiful!

The kids are loving all the new activities that the colder temperatures provide – especially ice skating on our backyard pond and sledding down nearby hills with friends. We don’t yet have any ‘sticky’ snow to make snowmen or igloos, but I’m sure that will be coming in the months ahead.

ENJOYING Christmas together. This was the first year that we were able to truly decorate our home for Christmas, and I was extra excited! The cottage absolutely transformed with the festive decor, and has a super cozy atmosphere. (video)

We got all dressed up for our family Christmas at home. The kids gave me the gift of a nice family picture. It’s the thing I ask for three times every year: Christmas, my birthday, and Mother’s Day. I love all the special memories and moments that have been caught on camera through the years!

The gift giving was kept pretty simple, but enjoyed all the same. We like to take turns opening one gift at a time. This helps us to slow down and appreciate each gift.

We spent Christmas Day with the Strasser side of the family, at my younger sister’s home. It was so wonderful to see everyone, if even for a short time. Being able to visit face to face with family we haven’t seen in over a year was an absolute blessing!

This is just a glimpse at what our family has been up to. If you’d like a closer look, be sure to check out our weekly ‘mini vlogs’ on our family YouTube channel ARROW HILL FAMILY. Be well everyone!

Christmas Decorating at the Cottage

This was the first year of Christmas decorating at Arrow Hill Cottage! It was an exciting moment in time, that I wanted to be sure to share with all of you!

Although we were living in our new home last year at this time, it was still very much a construction zone. We had only one working bathroom, exposed subfloors, and a house covered in tyvek. With the mess of the building process, we made the decision that the Christmas tree would be our only decoration.

Christmas Decorating this year

This year, we were determined to make our space festive and cozy. There is definitely a more settled feeling overall here at the cottage, which we are thankful for.

You may remember from a couple of years ago, I did a massive Konmari Christmas decoration declutter. This process really helped us determine the decor items that were most important to us. These few remaining pieces, which fill two vintage suitcases, are what we used for our Christmas decorating this year.

Setting up the living room

The first step in the Christmas decorating process, for me, is determining where the tree should go. Last year, we had it set up in the basement. This year I wanted it moved up to the main level, where the lights could be enjoyed from inside and also seen from outside.

I had a few locations in mind. Of course, each option involved moving the living room furniture around. My older boys helped out, but were a bit frustrated with my indecision. In the end we opted to position the tree in the corner of the room, next to the fireplace. The couch was moved away from the wall, and anchored in the room by our antique sewing machine. This setup defines the living room, within our open concept main floor.

Sitting on the couch, you get a fantastic view outdoors, toward the woods and pond. When the snow is gently falling, and the fireplace and tree are both lit, it is definitely a cozy and relaxing spot.

Overall Christmas Decorating theme

If I were to characterize the ‘vibe’ we went for this year with our decorations, I would say it is a casual and comfortable. I really wanted to make this first Christmas in our new home cheerful and vibrant for the kids, especially after the year we have had! The classic red and green motif is highlighted by natural elements such as pinecones and twine.

Our Christmas tree

One fun fact about our Christmas tree is that it is the same one that my parents used in our house when I was a little girl! The tinsel found on its branches were placed by myself and my sisters many, many years ago. I am strangely sentimental about things like that. And, although it isn’t pre-lit and sheds little pine needle pieces during setup, we love it. We have no plans to trade it in for a newer model.

Next to the tree, on the fireplace hearth, I set a small basket and filled it with family favorite Christmas books. This is the season when we most enjoy sitting together and reading through stories together.

Red table

The furniture in our living room is a hodgepodge of items collected throughout the years. We are taking our time finding the perfect items for our home, and for now are happy to use what we have. The little red writing table is a perfect example. I spotted it at an antique store a few years ago for a great price. Although I wasn’t sure where it would go, and didn’t have a specific purpose for it, I brought it home.

The color and character of the table makes me so happy. In fact, I had my husband cover it with a clear sealer to preserve all of the chippy paint and scratches. For now the table functions as a place I can set up my laptop or write Christmas letters. I can also envision it being used for family game or puzzle night.

Cozy Textiles

The holiday themed pillow covers were custom made out of vintage flour sack material. Again, I found the flour sacks at an antique store in our town and knew that the interesting and vibrant pattern would be perfect for Christmas.

The great thing about using pillow covers to change things up for the season is that they don’t take up much space in storage. I have a set of three plain square pillows that I change the coverings for depending on the holiday or occasion.

This red and black buffalo check blanket is so snuggly and soft. Perfect to curl up in when reading a book.

Next to the chair I keep a basket full of additional warm blankets. During a Minnesota winter, you can never have too many!

Mantle Decor

Of all the spaces I was most excited to decorate in our new home, the fireplace was my number one. There is something special that a fireplace brings to an interior, especially this time of year.

I used an antique window pane, and a framed piece of fabric as the backdrop to my Willow Tree Nativity Set. This is a set that I absolutely cherish. Each piece is finely detailed, yet the set has a serene simplicity about it.

As Christians, this symbolizes what our family holds most important during the Christmas holiday. Joy to the World!

Christmas Decorating Details

Though the living room was where we focused much of our decorating efforts, I did make a point to add a little Christmas spirit to a few other spaces on the main level.

Dining Room

I made some changes to my wooden crate centerpiece, by adding leftover branches from our tree. Battery powered candles and pinecones help to pull it together.

Kitchen

Our farmhouse sink got a seasonal update with a garland made of leftover fabric bits, a lantern, a small Christmas tree, and a few other accessories.

Of course, the vintage scale had to make an appearance as well!

I love this view looking into the kitchen, peeking around the restored built in cabinets. Certainly, these cabinets add a level of vintage charm to our newly built home.

This burnt orange/red pitcher sits atop the other built in. In addition to visual interest, it also adds a pop of color to our mostly neutral kitchen decor.

Mudroom/Back Entry

A set of french doors leads to the back entryway/mudroom space. A simple garland frames the opening and highlights the decorated piano.

Next year, I will probably try to do a new chalkboard art design. Something with a bit more of a seasonal message. I didn’t quite have the courage to erase this sign just yet.

This little brass bell was part of my husband’s grandma’s collection. She passed away last year, and we cherish the memory of the impact she had on our family. She is greatly missed.

I hope you enjoyed taking a peek inside the cottage and seeing it all decorated for Christmas. It was fun trying new things, and I look forward to many more years decorating this home.

Christmas Decorating Video

Want to see the entire process of us decorating our home? Check out this video!

Pin these decorations

Keep these ideas handy for next year, by pinning them to your favorite holiday board.